Joe Beltrante has said he's 'gaming the system' to run for mayor.

York County's president judge said he'd like to nix the candidacy of Joe Beltrante, who has said he's "gaming the system" to become York's next mayor.

Based solely on evidence brought by two city residents at a Tuesday hearing, though, that might not be possible, Judge Stephen P. Linebaugh said.

Yet after Democratic candidate made his case in open court, Linebaugh said there might be recourse.

"I don't think he should be on the ballot. It should not happen," the judge said toward the end of the hearing. But "this is clearly a question about whether or not he meets the (legal) requirement of being on the ballot."

Linebaugh deferred any decision -- and his personal opinion -- in favor of more research.

City residents Charlotte Bergdoll and Meg Hill-Grigson had challenged Beltrante's residency, pointing to documents they say show that Beltrante lives with his wife and son at their Manchester Township home.

At Tuesday's hearing, Bergdoll and Hill-Grigson offered no witnesses.

"We don't have any witnesses, other than ourselves," Hill-Grigson told the judge.

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When Beltrante volunteered to take the stand to testify on his own behalf, Hill-Grigson questioned him at length about his residency, pointing to what she said are inconsistencies. For instance, Beltrante received tax relief through the state's Homestead Exclusion at his Manchester Township home, she said.

But Beltrante said he never filled out that paperwork, adding that the error is being addressed.

And the 32-year-old said people in York don't understand the situation.

Beltrante, who described himself as a "government agent" who has worked for several "three-letter agencies," said he also owns about nine city properties. One of those, at 620 S. Queen St., became such a problem that Beltrante had to move to the city to protect it, he said.

He called the situation "very unique."

His wife, Maryna, said her husband seldom -- if ever -- stays at her home. She said the couple wants to rent the Queen Street house, but it is not possible.

"Regular people would not want to rent that house and live on that street," she said.

Bergdoll, who owns a property-management company, testified that she has no such problems in that area.

Beltrante produced eight exhibits, including bills sent to the Queen Street address that he said show his primary residence is in the city, thus clearing a run for mayor. If approved, he'd share the Democratic ticket with Mayor Kim Bracey and city council President Carol Hill-Evans.

That mayoral run would be making the best of a bad situation, Beltrante said.

"I have absolutely no desire to live in the city," he told the court at one point.

After the hearing, Beltrante said that he'll continue with his candidacy while waiting for the judge's ruling.

"I'm trying to save a troubled asset, a bad investment," he said of the Queen Street property. "I'm trying to use this as an opportunity, and to turn the city around."